The first LP for Kenny and The Kasuals was The Impact Sound of Kenny and the Kasuals Recorded Live at The Studio Club. This mouthful of a title was rarely used, and almost everyone referred to the album simply as "Impact." Only 500 albums were pressed, with the band thinking that it might be difficult to sell even that many. It wasn't. The album sold out (except for a few dozen copies which were warped beyond salvation in the heat while in drummer David "Bird" Blachley's car one summer day).
"Impact" has been cited by Rolling Stone as one of the most collectible American albums ever, and original copies still sell for over $400. The LP was reissued on vinyl in the seventies and is now available on CD.
After a couple of additional single record releases, in 1966 they hit on the song that would be picked up for national release. It was called "Journey To Tyme" and has been labeled as the very first "psychedelic style" recording.
Local airplay and positive sales caught the attention of the successful national record label United Artists, which negotiated with Mark Lee for the American rights. The song received good radio station play around the country, making the top ten in its hometown and reaching number one in Buffalo and Pittsburgh. Kenny has stated that the band's unwillingness to sign exclusively with United Artists kept the song from breaking into the national hit charts. Nevertheless, the song and the band were doing very well and it seemed like a good time for going "big time," and that meant a move to New York.
"In New York, we played The Rolling Stone Club after The Young Rascals and stayed in a hotel in Greenwich Village," Kenny remembers. "The New York bands we saw were terrific - Jimi Hendrix at the Nite Owl, The Seeds and The Lovin' Spoonful. We were asked to open for The Beatles at Shea Stadium. It was a great adventure."
After returning from a successful month in the Big Apple, Kenny and the Kasuals went back to their lucrative frat-party and nightclub circuit, becoming the most popular live band in Texas.
Record collectors rediscovered the "Impact" album in the early seventies, and eventually all of Kenny and The Kasuals recordings were re-released.
The band has been featured in write-ups in Rolling Stone (which called them one of the only true sixties bands left in the world), Texas Monthly, D Magazine, Creem, Bomp and Goldmine Magazines and have been featured on television news and variety shows.
Kenny and the Kasuals still perform, regularly featuring three of the original members (and on certain fun occasions, the entire original band). Two other top-quality musicians round out the current line-up. The music they play is still a high-energy mix of the hits and album dance songs that filled the dance floors in the sixties.
Down In Mexico
Kenny & The Kasuals Lyrics
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So many thoughts to sit and ponder
'Bout life and love and the lack of
And this emptiness in my heart
Too old to be wild and free still
Too young to be over the hill
Should I try to grow up?
So I'll just sit right here and have another beer in Mexico
Do my best to waste another day
Sit right here and have another beer in Mexico
Let the warm air melt these blues away
Sun comes up and sun sinks down
And I seen 'em both in this tourist town
Up for days in a rage
Just tryin' to search my soul
For all the answers and the reasons why
I'm at these crossroads in my life
And I really don't know
Which way to go
So I'll just sit right here and have another beer in Mexico
Do my best to waste another day
Sit right here and have another beer in Mexico
Let the warm air melt these blues away
Maybe I'll settle down, get married
Or stay single and stay free
Which road I'll travel is still a mystery to me
So I'll just sit right here, have another beer in Mexico
Do my best to waste another day
Sit right here and have another beer in Mexico
Let the warm air melt these blues away
Down in Mexico
The lyrics of "Down in Mexico" by Kenny & The Kasuals depict a contemplative and reflective state of mind. The singer is gazing into the vast open sky, filled with thoughts about life, love, and the emptiness they feel in their heart. They find themselves in a liminal state, caught between the desire to remain youthful and carefree, and the pressure to grow up and become responsible. Uncertain of where to start this transition, they opt to sit and have another beer in Mexico, seeking solace in the warm air and hoping to temporarily escape their emotional turmoil.
The song highlights the singer's struggle to find meaning and direction in their life. They admit to being at a crossroads, unsure of which path to take. They have spent days in a state of intense emotion, on a quest to understand their soul and to find answers and reasons for their circumstances. The lyrics suggest a longing for clarity and a resolution to the internal conflicts and uncertainties they face.
The repetition of sitting and having another beer in Mexico symbolizes a desire for escapism and a temporary reprieve from their troubles. It signifies the yearning to let go of their worries and allow the warmth of the environment to alleviate their blues. The lyrics underscore the theme of seeking solace and respite in a different setting, hoping that a change of scenery will bring clarity and peace of mind.
Line by Line Meaning
Starin' out into the wild blue yonder
Contemplating the vast unknown and uncertain future
So many thoughts to sit and ponder
Having numerous thoughts to reflect upon
'Bout life and love and the lack of
Considering the absence of fulfillment in life and love
And this emptiness in my heart
Feeling a deep void within oneself
Too old to be wild and free still
No longer young enough to live carefree, yet not yet old enough to accept it
Too young to be over the hill
Not yet old enough to be considered past one's prime
Should I try to grow up?
Contemplating the decision to mature
But who knows where to start
Uncertain about the proper path to take
So I'll just sit right here and have another beer in Mexico
Choosing to temporarily escape reality by enjoying a beer in Mexico
Do my best to waste another day
Making an effort to pass time aimlessly
Sun comes up and sun sinks down
Witnessing the cycle of day and night
And I seen 'em both in this tourist town
Experiencing both day and night while being in a tourist destination
Up for days in a rage
Being awake and consumed by intense emotions
Just tryin' to search my soul
Engaging in a quest to understand oneself deeply
For all the answers and the reasons why
Seeking explanations and understanding for life's questions
I'm at these crossroads in my life
Facing a crucial point of decision-making in one's life journey
And I really don't know
Feeling uncertain and lacking clarity
Which way to go
Not knowing the right direction to choose
Maybe I'll settle down, get married
Considering the possibility of finding stability and getting married
Or stay single and stay free
Considering the option to remain unmarried and maintain personal freedom
Which road I'll travel is still a mystery to me
Not knowing the path one will ultimately take
So I'll just sit right here, have another beer in Mexico
Continuing to indulge in escapism by enjoying a beer in Mexico
Do my best to waste another day
Trying to pass time without a sense of purpose
Sit right here and have another beer in Mexico
Remaining in the present moment, finding solace in Mexico
Let the warm air melt these blues away
Allowing the pleasant atmosphere of Mexico to alleviate sadness
Down in Mexico
Referring to the current location of the singer, Mexico
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Kenneth Chesney
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind